Overview of Western Asia

Quick Overview

Countries of Western Asia and the Caucasus

• Saudi Arabia:

• Armenia: mountains, a vast lake (Lake Sevan), vast and rather desolate expanses, and above all, countless medieval churches and monasteries that make this country's rich history somewhat turbulent.

• Azerbaijan: thanks to its Caspian Sea coastline and a dynamic capital, Azerbaijan has found its audience, though it remains largely regional for now, despite authorities' declared intent to open the sector more widely.

• Bahrain: this archipelago between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is rarely visited except by Saudis who come to enjoy its shopping malls and, especially, its nightlife where alcohol is permitted.

• United Arab Emirates: while everyone knows Dubai, its gigantism, and its wildest projects, the UAE is not just this city, which has become a major tourist destination in recent years. The UAE also includes six other "territories" that are less visited but still interesting.

• Georgia: a charming country for nature and local culture lovers in the Caucasus, with many monasteries and old castles, plus Black Sea shores for beachgoers.

• Iraq: all tourist travel throughout the country (including Kurdistan) is formally discouraged for security reasons.

• Iran: with exceptional heritage, rich culture, and stunning landscapes, Iran is one of the most fascinating destinations in the region. However, between dictatorships and religious obscurantism, the country—much to the despair of much of its population—struggles to claim its rightful place in tourism.

• Israel: unique in its kind, the country has all the ingredients for a holiday destination despite recurring tensions and a not-always-easy context, with a rich cultural heritage, superb natural sites, and beaches spread across two seas.

• Jordan: for many, it’s the must-see country. Or at least the most complete, with unique nature and landscapes (Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea...), grand historical sites—Petra chief among them—plus a stretch of Red Sea coastline where Aqaba has become a diving hotspot.

• Kuwait: "forgotten" since the end of the first Gulf War, the destination is hardly touristy except for the influx of neighboring nationals seeking business in Kuwait City’s shopping malls. Beyond that, very few other points of interest...

• Lebanon: at its core, a destination rich in history, particularly ancient and medieval, with a lovely natural heritage where sea and mountains are never far apart. Unfortunately, the country has faced decades of socio-political instability, which limits exploration but does not entirely prevent it.

• Oman: it’s not the most talked-about country in the region, but one of the most interesting for tourism, with remarkable mountainous and desert landscapes perfect for adventure, historical remains, and a culture rooted in its position between Europe, Asia, and East Africa.

• Palestine (West Bank): in a still very difficult context, Palestine—or rather the West Bank—has developed a small tourism sector focused notably on the holy sites of the various religions it hosts.

• Qatar: better known for its foreign investments and its airline, Qatar is nevertheless trying to position itself in tourism by promoting its capital, Doha, which resembles Dubai, and the exploration of its desert.

• Syria: all tourist travel throughout the country is formally discouraged for security reasons.

• Yemen: all tourist travel throughout the country (including the island of Socotra) is formally discouraged for security reasons.

Tourism

(): reference year - Sources: UNWTO and others